At this time, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were also silent.
Although they were also frightened by Danzo's methods, deep down in their hearts, they had to admit that Danzo's words pricked their fear of the unknown power.
Kotoamatsukami's ability is truly terrifying.
Hiruzen Sarutobi clearly knew that from the moment Shisui died, there was no possibility of a peaceful solution to the Uchiha incident.
Konoha's roots have rotted beyond repair.
But he, Hokage, could only watch everything happen, unable to do anything.
Thinking of Hiruzen Sarutobi here, I feel that it is indeed time for me, Hokage Position, to step down.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a long drag on the cigarette, and then spoke slowly, but with an unquestionable dignity in his voice, "There is one more thing to discuss today, and that is the succession of Fifth Hokage."
Shimura Danzō suddenly turned around, a light flashed in his one eye. "Hiruzen, we still need to discuss this matter in the long term."
Just when Homura and Koharu were about to agree, the office door was pushed open.
Jiraiya Earth Flow came in carefree, his long silver hair swaying with his steps. "Oh, the old man called us here in such a hurry..."
His words stopped abruptly, and he obviously noticed the solemn atmosphere in the room.
Tsunade followed closely behind, her flowing blond hair shining brightly in Sunshine through the window.
Her keen gaze swept across the entire venue, and she narrowed slightly when she saw Shimura Danzō: "It seems this is no ordinary party, Teacher Sarutobi."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, walked around the desk and walked towards everyone.
He took off the Hokage Hat and placed it gently on the table. This action made everyone hold their breath.
"I have decided to retire." The room was so quiet that you could hear the rustling of leaves outside the window, "
"And the next Hokage will be born from the two of you." His eyes fell on Jiraiya and Tsunade.
Jiraiya suddenly burst out laughing, breaking the tense atmosphere. "Old man, you really know how to joke! How can someone like me be Hokage? I'm still busy collecting materials to write a book."
He scratched his head, "What's more important is that people like me can't sit at a desk at all!"
Shimura Danzō suddenly took a step forward. "Since Jiraiya refuses, then this matter should be reconsidered..."
"I haven't finished speaking yet!" Jiraiya interrupted him and became unusually serious, "I recommend Tsunade to take the position of Fifth Hokage."
"Because she is not only the granddaughter of First Hokage, but also Medical Ninjutsu is unparalleled, and her commanding ability on the battlefield is obvious to all."
At this time, everyone's eyes were focused on Tsunade. She was silent, and her eyes moved from Hiruzen Sarutobi's expectant face to Jiraiya's encouraging eyes, and finally settled on Shimura Danzō.
Shimura Danzō stood there, holding the crutch tightly with both hands, his knuckles turning white.
His only exposed eyes were shining with undisguised ambition and calculation.
Seeing this, Tsunade's heart suddenly sank. If she refused, this man with a strong desire for power would definitely take Hokage Position by any means necessary.
This reminded her of Orochimaru, and when she thought of those people who betrayed everything for power, she suddenly felt a wave of disgust in her heart.
More importantly, when she looked at Teacher Sarutobi's old face, she suddenly understood why he eagerly called them back.
This is a carefully arranged transfer of power, carefully planned to prevent Shimura Danzō from ascending to power and to protect Konoha from being swallowed by darkness.
"Tsunade?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked softly.
Tsunade took a deep breath, straightened his back, and his flowing golden hair cut through the haze in the room like a ray of light. "I accept.
The moment she finished speaking, Danzo's crutch hit the ground hard, but Tsunade met his sinister gaze without flinching.
At this moment, she is no longer a gambler escaping from the past, but is ready to take on the leadership of the entire village.
"Wait a minute, Hiruzen." Shimura Danzō's voice was as cold as iron, "Before you make the final decision, there is something that must be made public."
Utatane Koharu frowned. "Danzo, now is not the time to talk about this..."
"On the contrary, if we don't tell you now, why wait?" Shimura Danzō interrupted her and took out a volume of documents from her arms.
"According to my investigation, Princess Tsunade has owed huge debts to casinos in various countries over the years, and the cumulative amount is approximately equal to the commission of ten S-rank tasks."
He paused deliberately, letting the number echo heavily in the air.
"If a person who is being pursued by a creditor becomes Hokage, doesn't it mean that Konoha will have to pay off her debt personally? This will become a laughing stock of other major countries and will even damage Hokage's prestige."
Danzo's tone suddenly became passionate, and the crutch hit the ground again, "I do everything for Konoha!"
Tsunade's fists were clenched at her sides, her knuckles turning white. She gritted her teeth, her brown pupils flashing with anger, but she could not refute this fact.
Jiraiya saw this and hurriedly smoothed things over. "Hey, hey, this kind of thing..."
"Jiraiya, no need to say more." Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly raised his hand to stop the disciple's excuse.
He took another deep breath of Pipe, exhaled the lingering smoke, and a helpless but determined look appeared on his deeply wrinkled face.
"Danzo, your worries are reasonable." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was calm but with unquestionable authority, "But these debts will all be repaid by me personally."
There was an uproar in the room.
"Hiruzen, you..." Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses in surprise.
Shimura Danzō one eye widened. "Absurd! This does not comply with the regulations!"
"The savings I have accumulated over the decades as Hokage are enough to repay these debts."
Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly took out a check with fire patterns from under the table and gently pushed it on the table. "This is my personal decision and has nothing to do with Konoha's finances."
He turned to Tsunade, his eyes gentle but firm. "Tsunade, from today on, you have to quit gambling."
Tsunade stared at Teacher blankly, with a lump in her throat, because she saw the unreserved trust in the old man's eyes. It was a firmness that even though he knew all her shortcomings, he still chose to entrust her with a heavy responsibility.
At this moment, she thought of her deceased brother Nawaki and her lover, who once believed that she could become a great ninja.
And now, Teacher Sarutobi entrusted the entire Konoha to her.
"I understand, Teacher." Tsunade's voice trembled slightly, but his eyes had become firm, "I swear in the name of my grandfather Hashirama Senju that I will never gamble again in this life."
Shimura Danzō's face turned pale. He turned around suddenly, his kimono sleeves drawing sharp arcs in the air. "Hiruzen, you will regret this rash decision!"
Bang!
As the office door slammed shut, the room fell into a brief silence.
Hiruzen Sarutobi gently picked up Hokage Hat and walked towards Tsunade: "When I finish hosting the next Chunin Ninja Exams, it will be yours."
At this time, the Sunshine outside the window happened to shine on the bamboo hat, and the word "fire" on the bamboo hat seemed to be shining brightly.